Tag: diversity

cover of The Mystery of the Stolen World Cup - stairs going down the left side of the cover with someone in black running away with a gold trophy
Posted in MG Novels, So Many Good Books

The Mystery of the Stolen World Cup Trophy

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

The Mystery of the Stolen World Cup Trophy (Henry Holt and Co., 2026) by Angela Cervantes is a fun and timely story with secret tunnels! And was released in both English and Spanish.

Sixth grader Diez Espada is named after the number from the jersey of his father’s favorite futbol (soccer) player. His dad has high hopes for Diez’s futbol career, but Diez would rather be a detective. He notices things. Sees clues. And right now he’s on the case of the missing school mascot, Louis the Lobster. He has to leave the futbol game before it is done for the big reveal of “who done it,” which makes his father unhappy. But all this is just the prequel for the big important mystery of the stolen World Cup Trophy.

Along the way, we meet Diez’s first crush Rio, a famous detective, and plenty of bad guys. Plus, a parrot named Soledad.

Read about the award-winning author here. See her books here. And here’s an interview with her about this book.

cover of Mascot, illustration of white bricks with a painted out mascot logo, two feathers and a tomahawk blade are visible
Posted in Award Winners, MG Novels, So Many Good Books

Mascot

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Mascot (Charlesbridge, 2023) by Charles Waters and Traci Sorell is a fascinating multi-point of view novel in verse that should be in all school libraries.

Six kids, six opinions about the middle school mascot, a tomahawk-wielding brave, and the first pep rally of the year.

For Callie (Cherokee Nation), it’s hate, fear, and disgust. Franklin (Black) loves the team and the fight song, “We are the mighty, mighty Braves!” and gets his face painted in red and yellow stripes. Luis (El Salvador) thinks all this celebrating should be for futbol–the greatest sport in the world. Priya (grandparents from India) believes the rally is racist. Sean’s (white) too shy to get his face painted but thinks the Braves bring people together. Previously home-schooled vegan Tessa (white) is shocked and thinks it should be stopped. All are in the same eighth grade honors English class.

The assignment: “Persuasive Writing and Oration, “Subject: Pros and Cons of Indigenous Peoples as Mascots.” Each student is matched up with a partner and the pair are told whether to be pro or con on the topic, no matter what they personally believe. No two agree on the issue.

I love how the emotions come through as each express their differences of opinion. Can each student change their partner’s point of view?

The book has received an American Indian Youth Literature Award Honor and a Jane Addams Children’s Book Award Honor.

Read about the co-authors here (Charles) and here (Traci). Traci’s books are here and Charles’ here. Previously, I recommended Powwow Day by Traci.

Bitsy Bat Snow Star cover shows a pink bat wearing a scarf and hat and lying in the snow
Posted in PB, So Many Good Books

Bitsy Bat, Snow Star

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Perfect Picture Book Friday

Bitsy Bat, Snow Star (Beach Lane Books, 2026) written and illustrated by Kaz Windness is a fun winter story that shows how different people feel about the weather. The book comes out October 27th just in time for snow in some regions.*

Join Bitsy Bat on her first time in the snow. This neurodivergent bat doesn’t enjoy getting wet as a snow angel, or the dangers of sledding, and can’t make a snowman with her wings. What will her friends think? Will they not want to be her friend anymore?

Many children will relate to the issue of disliking what others think is fun. And isn’t the art adorable?

This is the third story in the series. Read more here.

See all of the author/illustrator’s books here and read about Kaz here.

*I received access to a digital arc from the publisher.

cover of Right Back at You. Hanging from the O as if it is a key chain are a clock face set to ten:10, a single blue sneaker, a baseball glove, a gold Star of David, An @ symbol, and a red and white striped lollipop.
Posted in Award Winners, MG Novels, So Many Good Books

Right Back at You

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Right Back at You (Scholastic Press, 2025) by Carolyn Mackler was so good and had a surprising ending. I enjoyed it immensely.

It’s 2023, and 12-year-old Mason’s parents have split up, plus he’s being bullied at school, partially about his dad leaving. Mason says his life, “sucks” and is the equivalent of a “black hole.” Told to write a letter about his troubles to someone, Mason chooses Albert Einstein. Embarrassed by what he wrote, Mason throws it in his closet, but when he decides to destroy it, the letter is missing. In it’s place is a letter from a girl named Talia who claims it’s 1987.

Talia is also 12 and has troubles of her own–her best friend ditching her and a boy at school teasing her about being Jewish. How did Mason get a letter in her closet?! Especially since he says he lives in New York and she lives in Pennsylvania…

The book is a National Jewish Book Award Finalist and a Sydney Taylor Book Award Notable Book.

Carolyn writes both middle grade and young adult books. Read about the award-winning author here. And here’s an interview with Carolyn about this book.

Cover of book 24 Hours in Nowhere - a reddish orange desert scene, bright blue sky, hot yellow sun, a trailer house, and four kids silhouetted as the climb.
Posted in Award Winners, MG Novels, So Many Good Books

24 Hours in Nowhere

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

24 Hours in Nowhere (Stirling Children’s Books, 2018) by Dusti Bowling is a fantastic tale of events that happen in 24 hours. (Honestly, I didn’t plan to recommend two books with the same time frame two weeks apart–I just happened to read them both now.)

13-year-old Gus can’t wait to get out of the town of Nowhere, Arizona. Their town is number one in things like poverty, high school drop outs, and drunken mine deaths. His hope is the SAT, which will get him to college. But meanwhile, Rossi gave up her motorbike to the local bully to save Gus from eating a cholla (nasty cactus), and Gus has to buy it back. His only hope is gold from the dangerous Dead Frenchman Mine.

I loved seeing how Gus grew and how his relationships changed on this adventure that involves a cave-in, a mountain lion, a black underground lake, and of course, a failing light source. Definitely a compelling read.

Check out all the awards for this book:
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
One of Shelf Awareness’s Best Books of 2018
A Golden Kite Honor Winner
A Silver Nautilus Award Winner
A Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year

Last year I recommended Dusti’s book Holding on for Dear Life. Dusti’s newest book is a YA coming out this October–The Drowning Game. She has many other books I haven’t read…yet. Go to her website for more info.